Article underscores potential of early obesity prevention

Matthew W. Gillman, MD, SM, of the HPHC Institute and David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD, of Boston Children’s Hospital examined studies spanning a first generation of birth-weight research to recent, more sophisticated, epidemiologic work.  The authors highlighted the most promising obesity prevention approaches for pregnancy and infancy to date, but also cautioned that definitive conclusions await intervention trials, many of which are now occurring.   
 
Potential intervention strategies identified by the authors include  smoking cessation before pregnancy, reduction of excessive gestational weight gain, treatment of gestational diabetes, avoiding unnecessary cesarean delivery, establishing infants’ healthful sleep habits, and introduction of solid foods no earlier than 4-6 months. The authors hypothesize that obesity prevention efforts focusing on multiple risk factors will be the most effective.
 
“Mothers appear especially willing to modify their behavior to benefit their children during the prenatal and postpartum periods,” said Dr. Gillman.  “This willingness, coupled with knowledge that these periods are critical for setting children on lifelong trajectories of healthful biology and behavior, highlight the importance of anti-obesity efforts during early human development.” 
 
To read the article, click here.